2011–12 Real Madrid CF season

Real Madrid commenced their summer transfer activity on 9 May, signing Turkish central midfielder Nuri Şahin for six seasons from Borussia Dortmund on a transfer reported to be worth €10 million.[2] Versatile Turkish midfielder Hamit Altıntop was signed for four seasons on a free transfer from Bayern Munich on 19 May,[3] but was discovered to have a prolapsed disc on 23 June,[4] undergoing a successful operation four days later.[5] The club announced on 21 May that veteran Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek's contract would not be renewed;[6] he subsequently retired.[7] Former Castilla winger José Callejón was brought back after three seasons at Espanyol for a reported fee of €5 million on 23 May.[8]

Real Madrid fired Director General Jorge Valdano on 25 May after a strained relationship over sporting decisions between him and manager José Mourinho.[9] President Florentino Pérez supported Mourinho's request to "be able to manage the team with autonomy"[10] in response to tensions during the previous season's winter transfer window and a public feud regarding Karim Benzema following a 1–1 draw against Almería.[11] Valdano was reported to be paid €3.5 million to release him from the remaining two years on his contract[11] and was replaced by José Ángel Sánchez.[12] Mourinho subsequently became head of football operations in addition to his role as head coach[13] with former player and special adviser to Pérez Zinedine Zidane as the new director of football for the first team.[14]

Real Madrid continued their transfer activity on 27 June, signing teenage French central defender Raphaël Varane from Lens for six seasons on a reported €10 million transfer.[15] On 1 July, Royston Drenthe and David Mateos returned from their loan spells at Hércules[16] and AEK Athens,[17] respectively, while Emmanuel Adebayor returned to Manchester City following a six-month loan.[18] Mateos was loaned out ten days later to Real Zaragoza with Zaragoza having an option to purchase the player permanently at the end of the season,[19] and Drenthe was loaned to Everton late on the final day of the transfer window.[20] Portuguese wingback Fábio Coentrão transferred from Benfica for €30 million[21] on 5 July and signed a six-year contract.[22]

Real Madrid traveled to the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California, on 11 July to prepare for friendlies against the LA Galaxy, Guadalajara and Philadelphia Union in the World Football Challenge.[23] Castilla players Jesús Fernández, Tomás Mejías, Jorge Casado, Nacho, Jesé and Joselu accompanied the first team to the United States.[24] On 12 July, the contracts of Pepe and Sergio Ramos were extended to 2016 and 2017, respectively,[25] and Nuri Şahin suffered a Grade I sprain on the internal lateral ligament in his left knee during the first day of training,[26] causing him to miss the entire pre-season.[27] On 17 July, defender Ezequiel Garay transferred to Benfica for an undisclosed fee.[28] Real Madrid's pre-season began with a 4–1 victory over Major League Soccer (MLS) team LA Galaxy,[29] with goals from Callejón, Joselu, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema.[30] Four days later in San Diego against Mexican Primera División side Guadalajara, Ronaldo scored a second half hat-trick[31] over a nine-minute span for a 3–0 victory.[32] Real Madrid completed the World Football Challenge atop the table following a 2–1 win over Philadelphia Union,[33] with early goals from Callejón and Mesut Özil.[34] They officially won the tournament via goal differential when Manchester United defeated Barcelona 2–1 on 30 July.[35][36][37] Ronaldo finished as the tournament's top scorer with four goals.[38]

Real Madrid started the European leg of their pre-season world tour with a triumph over newly promoted Bundesliga team Hertha BSC on 27 July in front of a sold out Olympiastadion.[39] Patrick Ebert opened the scoring for Hertha, but Ronaldo equalized from a long-range free kick and Benzema added two goals for a 3–1 victory.[40] Three days later Real Madrid defeated Championship side Leicester City 2–1 to win the npower Challenge Cup.[41] Callejón scored the opening goal and Benzema converted a rebound following a shot off the goalpost by Marcelo before Lloyd Dyer added a late consolation goal.[42]

José Mourinho's five-game touchline ban in the UEFA Champions League due to accusatory statements following the first leg of the previous season's Champions League semi-final was partially upheld following an appeal to UEFA on 29 July.[43] He was originally suspended for five matches, with the final game suspended for a probational period of three years, and fined €50,000[44] for accusing Barcelona of receiving favorable treatment from UEFA and for severely criticizing German referee Wolfgang Stark.[45] After serving the first game of his suspension in the second leg, Mourinho had the remaining four matches of his ban reduced to a two-game suspension with a potential two further games over a three-year probationary period.[46] The original fine to Mourinho was upheld along with a €20,000 fine assessed to Real Madrid for crowd trouble.[43]

The club traveled to Guangzhou, China, directly from Leicester on 1 August,[47] and signed a letter of intent the following day with Guangzhou Evergrande involving club cooperation, potential player exchanges, and the opening of the largest football academy in China.[48] On 3 August, Real Madrid defeated Chinese Super League leaders Guangzhou Evergrande 7–1,[49][50] with goals from Sami Khedira, Özil, Benzema twice, Ronaldo, Jesé, and Ángel Di María.[51] The following day, attacking midfielder Sergio Canales joined Valencia on loan for two seasons with Valencia retaining a purchase option of €12 million at the end of each season.[52] Real Madrid concluded their pre-season world tour with all victories on 6 August,[53] defeating Tianjin Teda 6–0[54] with goals from Kaká, Di María, Gonzalo Higuaín, Ronaldo and a double by Benzema.[55]

Real Madrid opened their competitive season with a 2–2 draw at home in the first leg of the 2011 Supercopa de España against Barcelona on 14 August.[56] Özil scored after 13 minutes following an assist from Benzema, but goals from David Villa and Lionel Messi against the run of play gave Barcelona the lead at halftime.[57] Xabi Alonso shot through traffic during a corner sequence for the equalizer nine minutes into the second half.[58][59] Three days later in the return leg at Camp Nou, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3–2 to win 5–4 on aggregate.[60][61] Andrés Iniesta beat the offside trap and scored first for Barcelona, but Ronaldo redirected a cross to equalize five minutes later.[62] Messi scored just before halftime following a failed clearance of a corner kick by Real Madrid and a subsequent backheel assist from Gerard Piqué to give Barcelona a 2–1 lead at halftime.[63] Benzema leveled the score late in the second half following a scramble from a corner kick, but an Adriano cross allowed Messi to score the winning goal in the 88th minute.[64] Marcelo received a straight red card in stoppage time for a tackle on Cesc Fàbregas, creating an ensuing scuffle between the two sides that led to Mourinho confronting Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova with a poke in the eye[65] and expulsions for Villa and Özil.[66] Six days later, the Royal Spanish Football Federation opened disciplinary investigations against both Mourinho and Vilanova[67][68] that could have potentially resulted in a 12-game suspension for Mourinho[69] but instead suspended him for two future Supercopa de España matches and fined €600.[70] Real Madrid was additionally fined €180.[70]

Real Madrid players sporting their brand new black kits in an away match against Zaragoza

Real Madrid's La Liga campaign was scheduled to begin on 21 August at home against Athletic Bilbao,[71] but the Spanish Footballers' Association, with representation from all 42 teams in the top two divisions,[72] unanimously elected to strike[73] after failing to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the Liga de Fútbol Profesional,[74] causing the postponement of the first weekend of fixtures.[75] The team won their seventh consecutive Santiago Bernabéu Trophy, defeating Turkish Süper Lig side Galatasaray on 24 August.[76] Before the match, Real Madrid officially presented their five new summer signings[77] and honored their three youth team players on the Spanish Under-19 squad that won the 2011 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship.[78] Selçuk İnan scored early for Galatasaray from close range, but a pair of assists from man of the match Xabi Alonso[79] to Sergio Ramos and Benzema led Real Madrid to a 2–1 victory in the annual friendly.[80] Real Madrid's La Liga season began with a 0–6 win at Real Zaragoza on 28 August,[81] with goals from Marcelo, Alonso, Kaká and a hat-trick by Ronaldo,[82] including his 100th goal as a Real Madrid player.[83] The win was the most lopsided away victory on opening day in Spanish top flight history.[84]

On 31 August, the final day of the summer transfer window, Real Madrid loaned out midfielders Pedro León, Fernando Gago and Royston Drenthe.[85] Pedro León joined Getafe,[86] the team he was purchased from a year ago,[87] and Gago joined Roma,[88] with both Getafe and Roma retaining the option to acquire their respective player for €6 million at the end of the season.[89][90] Drenthe joined Everton for a season-long loan in a deal that was finalized late on deadline day.[20]

The season's record-breaking top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Ajax

Real Madrid's first La Liga home match resulted in a 4–2 victory over local rivals Getafe on 10 September.[91] Benzema scored his first two goals in La Liga while Ronaldo converted a penalty and Higuaín added a late goal.[92][93] The victory boosted Real Madrid to a two-point advantage over Barcelona,[94] as Barcelona drew 2–2 earlier in the day at Real Sociedad.[95] Four days later, Real Madrid defeated Dinamo Zagreb 1–0 in on Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League despite Mourinho serving his second of three touchline bans in the competition and a second yellow card to Marcelo for diving in the penalty area.[96] Di María scored the lone goal early in the second half,[97] while Ronaldo received stitches to his right ankle after the match.[98] The injury forced Ronaldo out of the starting lineup against Levante on 18 September,[99] a match Real Madrid lost 1–0 on a second half counterattack goal from Arouna Koné.[100] Real Madrid played with a man down when Khedira received his second yellow card in the 40th minute for defending Di María from Sergio Ballesteros during a fracas;[101] Mourinho later commented Khedira "fell for the trap."[102] Three days later Real Madrid again failed to score,[103] drawing 0–0 at Racing Santander in a match in which Varane made his official debut.[104] On 24 September, the team defeated Rayo Vallecano 6–2 at home.[105] Michu scored for the visitors 17 seconds into the match following an intercepted backpass from Lassana Diarra,[106] but goals from Ronaldo and Higuaín lifted Real Madrid to a 2–1 halftime lead.[107] Ronaldo and Michu scored again early in the second half[108] shortly before a second yellow card to Di María for an intentional handball.[109] Despite the numerical disadvantage, Ronaldo completed his hat-trick and Varane and Benzema added goals in the victory.[110] Varane, at 18 years and 152 days, became the youngest foreign player to score in a competitive match for Real Madrid.[111] Hamit Altıntop made his official debut[112] in a 3–0 victory[113] over Ajax on Matchday 2 of the Champions League on 27 September.[114] Ronaldo,[115] Kaká, and Benzema each scored a goal and provided an assist.[116]

Real Madrid defeated Espanyol away 0–4 on 2 October.[117] Higuaín scored a hat-trick and Callejón scored his first official goal for Real Madrid.[118] Higuaín added another hat-trick,[119] his third in two weeks including one for Argentina,[120] and Kaká scored a goal[121] on 15 October in a 4–1 victory over Real Betis.[122] Despite his recent goalscoring form, Higuaín was dropped from the starting lineup in favor of Benzema for the Champions League match against Olympique Lyonnais three days later.[123] Mourinho returned from suspension[124] and guided Real Madrid to a 4–0 victory,[125] inflicting Lyon with their largest ever defeat in the Champions League.[126] Benzema finished Ronaldo's flick from an Özil corner[127] and then assisted Khedira for his first competitive goal at Real Madrid.[128] Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris redirected a cross by Özil for an own goal,[129] and Sergio Ramos completed the scoring from a Kaká corner.[130] The win lifted Real Madrid five points clear atop Group D.[131]

Benzema in a league game against Villarreal

Real Madrid defeated Málaga away on 22 October[132] and moved one point ahead of Barcelona after they were held to a scoreless draw by Sevilla.[133] Higuaín opened the scoring and Ronaldo scored his third hat-trick in La Liga this season for a 0–4 win.[134] This was the first time in club history Real Madrid scored at least four goals in four successive La Liga matches.[135] Four days later Real Madrid blanked Villarreal 3–0 at home with three first half goals.[136] Di María assisted early goals by Benzema and Kaká[137] and then scored one himself on a counterattack.[138][139] Real Madrid completed the month of October with all victories[140] after defeating Real Sociedad away 0–1 on 29 October with an early goal from Higuaín.[141] The clean sheet also equaled a club record of four consecutive away games in La Liga without conceding a goal.[142] They reclaimed the La Liga lead after Levante lost the following day.[143] IFFHS recognized Real Madrid as The World's Club Team of the Month for October.[144]

Real Madrid clinched a spot in the Champions League knockout phase on 2 November when they defeated Lyon away 0–2.[145] Ronaldo scored both goals to reach 100 competitive goals for Real Madrid in 105 matches.[146] He beat Lloris with a powerful free kick in the first half,[147] which was Real Madrid's 900th goal in European competition,[148] and a penalty kick in the second half.[149] Four days later, Real Madrid defeated Osasuna 7–1 in their first ever noon kickoff,[150] scheduled to cater to Asian audiences.[151] Sixty million people watched the match from China as a result.[152] Prior to kickoff, Ronaldo presented his 2010–11 European Golden Shoe award[153] and the team supported former player Antonio Cassano, who recently suffered a stroke and underwent heart surgery,[154] by wearing "Forza Cassano" shirts.[155] Ronaldo scored his fourth hat-trick in La Liga,[156] Benzema netted two goals,[157] and Pepe and Higuaín scored one each in the victory.[158] Di María served three assists in the first half before tearing his hamstring early in the second half,[159] and Şahin made his Real Madrid debut as a substitute following six months of injury.[160] Real Madrid defeated Valencia away 2–3 on 19 November for their 11th consecutive victory, the longest in Mourinho's managerial career.[161] Nicolás Terol, champion of the 2011 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season 125cc class, ceremonially kicked off the match.[162] Benzema opened the scoring in the first half from a quickly taken Alonso free kick,[163] and Sergio Ramos doubled the lead from a corner in the second half.[164] Roberto Soldado pulled a goal back for Valencia before Ronaldo avoided onrushing goalkeeper Diego Alves to restore a two-goal advantage.[165] Soldado scored again four minutes later,[166] but Valencia had an appeal for a handball in the penalty area turned down in stoppage time.[167] Three days later Real Madrid defeated Dinamo Zagreb 6–2[168] in their 1,500th official match at the Santiago Bernabéu[169] to clinch top spot in their Champions League group.[170] Despite resting Ronaldo, Iker Casillas and Pepe,[171] Real Madrid scored four goals in the opening 20 minutes through Benzema, Callejón, Özil and Higuaín.[172] Callejón and Benzema scored again after halftime before Fatos Bećiraj and Ivan Tomečak added late consolation goals.[173] The win was also their 250th in UEFA competitions.[174] On 26 November, Real Madrid stretched their unbeaten streak against Atlético Madrid to 22 matches after a 4–1 home victory in the Madrid Derby.[175] Prior to kickoff, Casillas was presented with a commemorative ball by Florentino Pérez for recently becoming the most capped Spanish international of all time.[176] Atlético struck first through Adrián,[177] but shortly afterward goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was sent off while conceding a penalty,[178] converted by Ronaldo.[179] Di María finished a low cross from Ronaldo early in the second half,[180] and then Higuaín extended the lead by capitalizing on a defensive error from Diego Godín.[181] Godín was later sent off for denying Higuaín a clear goalscoring opportunity in the box and Ronaldo converted another penalty.[182] The victory coupled with Barcelona's loss at Gefate boosted Real Madrid's lead in La Liga to six points.[183] Real Madrid were again recognized by IFFHS as The World's Club Team of the Month after completing November with all victories.[144]

Real Madrid started the month of December with a 0–3 away victory against Sporting de Gijón on 3 December,[184] their 14th consecutive win.[185] Fitness coach Rui Faria was sent off early in the match for protesting a refereeing decision[186] and was subsequently suspended for two matches[187] and fined €600.[188] Di María opened the scoring from a tight angle[189] and then assisted Ronaldo for his 17th La Liga goal[190] before Marcelo completed the scoring in stoppage time.[191] Four days later, they defeated Ajax with a weakened lineup[192] and concluded the Champions League group stage with all victories,[193] becoming the fifth team in Champions League history to accomplish the feat.[194] Callejón scored two goals and Higuaín added one[195] for a 3–0 win,[196] although Ajax had two goals questionably disallowed for offside.[197] Castilla loanee Pedro Mendes made his first team debut in the second half.[198] The victory was the team's 15th consecutive win to equal a club record set in 1961.[199] On 10 December, Real Madrid were defeated at home by Barcelona.[200] Benzema scored 21 seconds after kickoff,[201] the fastest goal in El Clásico history,[202] following a Víctor Valdés giveaway,[203] but an Alexis Sánchez strike, a deflected goal by Xavi,[204] and a Cesc Fàbregas header condemned Real Madrid to a 1–3 defeat.[205] Three days later, Real Madrid began their defense of the Copa del Rey with a 0–2 victory at Segunda División B side Ponferradina in the first leg of the round of 32.[206] Callejón and Ronaldo scored the goals[207] and youth team player Jesé officially debuted,[208][209] but Raúl Albiol was sent off for committing two bookable offences.[210] Real Madrid finished the calendar year as La Liga leaders by three points after a 2–6 away win against Sevilla on 17 December.[211] Ronaldo opened the scoring in the tenth minute from a through ball by Di María.[212] Two minutes later, Casillas made a diving save on a close-range shot from Manu.[213] Di María then assisted Callejón for the second before Ronaldo blasted a long shot into the upper corner,[214] but Pepe earned a second yellow card and was sent off shortly before halftime.[215] Di María scored in the second half and dedicated the goal to his late father-in-law.[216] Jesús Navas pulled a goal back for Sevilla,[217] but soon afterward Manu was shown a straight red card.[218] Ronaldo completed his hat-trick from a penalty[219] and substitute Altıntop scored his first goal for Real Madrid[220] before Álvaro Negredo added a consolation goal in stoppage time.[221] Real Madrid defeated Ponferradina 5–1 in the return leg of the Copa del Rey on 20 December to advance 7–1 on aggregate.[222] Callejón scored twice, Şahin scored his first goal for Real Madrid,[223] and Varane and Castilla member Joselu each scored once,[224] while Acorán scored the lone goal for Ponferradina.[225] His goal ended Real Madrid's Copa del Rey clean sheet streak at a club record of 616 minutes that began during the previous season.[226] Youth team members Jorge Casado and Fernando Pacheco made their official debuts in the match.[227]

Real Madrid rallied to defeat Málaga at home 3–2 in the first leg of the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey on 3 January.[228] Defenders Sergio Sánchez and Martín Demichelis converted headers from corners to give Málaga a 2–0 lead,[229] prompting Mourinho to bring on Mesut Özil, Sami Khedira and Karim Benzema at half-time.[230] Madrid then scored three goals through Khedira, Gonzalo Higuaín and Benzema[231] over a ten-minute period for the victory.[232] Rui Faria was again dismissed for protesting a refereeing decision.[233] On 7 January, Real Madrid won their first La Liga game of the year 5–1 against Granada at home.[234] Prior to kickoff, Iker Casillas received an award from medical supplier Sanitas for being the healthiest squad member during the past year as voted by fans.[235] Benzema opened the scoring following an Özil backheel pass,[236] one of his three assists in the match,[237] but Granada equalized three minutes later through Mikel Rico.[238] Sergio Ramos, Higuaín, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo added further goals in the victory.[239] Real Madrid extended their La Liga lead to five points after Barcelona drew against Espanyol the following day.[240] On 10 January, Real Madrid defeated Málaga 0–1 in the second leg of the Copa del Rey and progressed to the quarter-finals 4–2 on aggregate.[241] An error by Málaga keeper Willy Caballero[242] allowed Benzema to score the winning goal in the 72nd minute.[243] Álvaro Arbeloa made his 100th appearance for Real Madrid[244] but was sent off late in the match.[245] Real Madrid staged another comeback win on 14 January,[246] defeating Mallorca away 1–2.[247] Tomer Hemed scored with a header in the 39th minute for Mallorca[248] before Higuaín and José Callejón[249] scored second half goals to give Madrid the win.[250] Real Madrid lost to Barcelona at home in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on 18 January.[251] Ronaldo scored early,[252] but second half goals from defenders Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal resulted in a 1–2 defeat.[253] On 22 January, Real Madrid ended the first half of the season as league leaders with a five-point advantage after beating Athletic Bilbao at home 4–1. Fernando Llorente scored early for the visitors but Real Madrid eventually raced to clear 4–1 victory with two penalties from Ronaldo and goals from Marcelo and Callejón.[254] On 25 January, Madrid was eliminated from Copa del Rey by Barcelona after a 2–2 draw at Camp Nou; Barcelona qualified 4–3 on aggregate. The home side was leading after the first half 2–0 with the goals from Pedro and Dani Alves, despite Real Madrid being the dominating side. In the second half, Real Madrid leveled Barcelona with the goals from Ronaldo and Benzema.[255] On 28 January, Real Madrid extended their lead in La Liga to seven points after beating Real Zaragoza home 3–1 while Barcelona could only conjure up a goalless draw away to Villarreal.[256] Zaragoza took the lead in the 11th minute when Ángel Lafita scored for the visitors. Real Madrid, however, once again came from behind to finish with a comfortable win with goals from Kaká, Ronaldo and Özil.[257]

On 4 February, Real Madrid started the month with a 0–1 away win over Getafe. The lone goal, a header, was scored by Sergio Ramos in the first half.[258] On 12 February, Madrid extended their lead in La Liga to ten points after winning 4–2 at home to Levante, while Barcelona had lost the day before to Osasuna in Pamplona.[259] Levante opened the scoring with a header from Gustavo Cabral. The turning point came after a red card to Vicente Iborra, giving away a penalty which was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo then added two more goals, including a sumptuous third, before Levante pulled another back through Arouna Koné. Karim Benzema then curled home a fourth for Real to finish the scoring.[260] On 18 February, Real Madrid continued their good form in La Liga by beating Racing de Santander at the Bernabéu 4–0. Benzema netted a brace and Ronaldo and Ángel Di María each scored one goal in the comfortable win. Racing played over half of the game with only ten men after Domingo Cisma received a second yellow card for his second handball of the game and was sent off.[261] On 21 February, Real Madrid drew 1–1 with CSKA Moscow in the first part of their Round of 16 games in Champions League. The game, played in snowy conditions in Moscow, was led by Madrid for the majority of the game with a goal from Ronaldo, but a last-minute equalizer by Pontus Wernbloom denied the victory for the visitors.[262] On 26 February, Real Madrid defeated city rival Rayo Vallecano at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas by a score of 0–1. The only goal of the game, a back-heel effort by Cristiano Ronaldo, was eventually enough for the visitors to go home with the three points in their pocket.[263]

On 4 March, Real Madrid extended their streak of wins in La Liga to ten games by beating Espanyol at home 5–0. Cristiano Ronaldo, Sami Khedira and Kaká all scored in the impressive win, as did Gonzalo Higuaín, who scored twice.[264] On 10 March, Real Madrid became the first team in the history of La Liga to win ten consecutive away games after beating Real Betis 2–3 at the Estadio Benito Villamarín. The home team started well after Jorge Molina scored early, but Higuaín equalized just over ten minutes later. In the second half, Madrid took the lead with a Ronaldo goal, but Betis equalized only a few minutes later with a strike from Jefferson Montero. Ronaldo, however, scored his second of the night later on which turned out to be the winning goal and guaranteed the full three points for the whites.[265] Real Madrid qualified to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on 14 March by beating CSKA Moscow at home by a score of 4–1, progressing 5–2 on aggregate. Ronaldo netted a brace while Higuaín and Karim Benzema both scored one in the victory, while the lone goal from CSKA was scored by Zoran Tošić.[266] On 18 March, Real Madrid tied against Málaga at the Bernabéu 1–1 after an injury time free kick by Santi Cazorla. Real Madrid's only goal was scored by Benzema.[267] On 21 March, Real Madrid drew again 1–1, this time against Villarreal, with Ronaldo and Marcos Senna scoring the goals. After back-to-back draws, Real Madrid was on an advantage of just six points ahead of rivals Barcelona. In the controversial game, Mourinho was expelled from the match as was fitness trainer Rui Faria for the third time in his season. The referee gave Sergio Ramos a second yellow card for a tough challenge on Nilmar and gave direct red to Özil for sarcastically applauding his decision.[268] Pepe was also booked after the game for insulting the referee, which led to a two-game suspension for him. On 24 March, Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 5–1, with two goals each from Ronaldo and Benzema and a single goal for Higuaín.[269] Ronaldo averaged 1.01 goals by having 100 goals scored in La Liga that day. On the following week, on 27 March, Real Madrid continued their good form in Champions League by defeating opponent APOEL in Cyprus 0–3.[270] Benzema scored a header from a pass from Kaká, who then scored the second one; Benzema closed the game by scoring the third goal from an Özil assist.[271] On the last day of the month, Real Madrid beat Osasuna away, 1–5. Benzema scored a stupendous volley goal and Ronaldo equally great 36-yard long range shot at goal.[272] It was overall Ronaldo's night, since he also scored another goal, a free kick that was deflected, and assisted two other goals. Higuaín was the third player who got his name on the scoresheet, scoring twice. His last goal was the 100th goal for Madrid in La Liga this season.[273]

Barcelona and Real Madrid prior to the kick-off of the league's decisive El Clásico

The month started by a 5–2 victory over APOEL in the second leg of Champions League quarter-finals, giving an aggregate score 8–2 as Los Blancos advanced to the semi-finals against final hosts Bayern Munich. Real Madrid was resting some of their usual starters, but still managed to score five goals overall. Cristiano Ronaldo netted a brace and Kaká, José Callejón and Ángel Di María each scored one in the victory, while APOEL's goals were scored by Gustavo Manduca and Esteban Solari, later scoring a penalty given to the Cypriots after Hamit Altıntop's foul in the box.[274] On 8 April, Real Madrid had a goalless draw against Valencia in La Liga, leading them only four points ahead of Barcelona.[275] Three days later, on 11 April, Real Madrid beat Atlético Madrid in an away game 1–4. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick including two astonishing goals and assisted Callejón to score the fourth goal to close the game. Atlético's only goal was netted by Radamel Falcao.[276] On 14 April, Real Madrid beat Sporting de Gijón home 3–1 with goals from Higuaín, Ronaldo and Benzema. Sporting's only goal was a penalty given to them after a handball from Sergio Ramos in the box, which was scored by Miguel de las Cuevas.[277] On 17 April, Real Madrid lost to Bayern Munich away at the Allianz Arena 2–1 in first leg of the Champions League semi-finals. Franck Ribéry and Mario Gómez scored for Bayern, while Mesut Özil netted Madrid's only goal.[278] On 21 April, Real Madrid beat Barcelona in El Clásico in Camp Nou 1–2, extending their lead in La Liga to seven points with only four matches left, which all but decided the domestic title. Sami Khedira opened the scoring from a corner kick in the 17th minute which broke the record for the most goals scored in a domestic league, with 107. Alexis Sánchez equalized in the second half in the 70th minute, but only a few minutes later, Özil assisted and Ronaldo scored the winning goal of the game by shooting the ball over Víctor Valdés into the net. This was the first victory for Real Madrid in La Liga against their arch rivals in Camp Nou since 2007.[279] On 25 April, in the second leg of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, Cristiano Ronaldo initially put Madrid up 2–0, but former Madrid player Arjen Robben netted an away goal back for Bayern with a penalty. The match ended 2–1 after extra time and as both sides were tied 3–3, it went to a shootout. During penalties, Iker Casillas made two saves but Ronaldo, Kaká and Ramos failed to convert their spot kicks and Madrid lost 3–1, bowing out of the Champions League in a heartbreaking fashion.[280] The Champions League setback did not break Madrid's spirit, however, as the team went on to crush Sevilla 3–0 just four days after the UCL semi-final defeat. Ronaldo opened the scoring and Benzema then added a brace.[281]

Madrid players celebrate their record-breaking league title after a final day victory over Mallorca

On May 2, 2012, Los Blancos defeated Athletic Bilbao 3–0 in an away game to be crowned champions of Spain after a four-year wait. Higuaín, Özil, and Ronaldo scored as Madrid won La Liga with two games to spare.[282] That wasn't it however, as the team clearly targeted to achieve a record 100 points in a season. Madrid went on to beat Granada away three days later in a dramatic game that saw the home team score early, with Ronaldo equalizing on the 81th minute through a penalty, and Real clinching the victory in injury time, courtesy of an own goal. Two Granada players were sent off after the final whistle after a brawl, involving the teams.[283] The final game of the season was against Mallorca on Bernabéu. Prior to that game, Madridistas had 97 points, meaning that they had to win to become the Centurions. Real did just that by triumphing 4–1 with goals coming from Ronaldo, Benzema, and Özil (2). The team reached the 100-point mark and set numerous records in the process.[284] Overall, La Liga title was a sufficient consolation for a heartbreak in the Champions League semi-final against Bayern and earlier defeats to Barça in the Supercopa and Copa del Rey.

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No.	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	EU	Moving from	Type	Transfer window	Ends	Transfer fee	Source
5	CM		Nuri Şahin	22	EU	Borussia Dortmund	Transfer	Summer	2017	€10M	RealMadrid.com
16	RM		Hamit Altıntop	28	EU	Bayern Munich	Transfer	Summer	2015	Free	RealMadrid.com
21	LW		José Callejón	24	EU	Espanyol	Transfer	Summer	2016	€5M	RealMadrid.com
19	CB		Raphaël Varane	18	EU	Lens	Transfer	Summer	2017	€10M	RealMadrid.com
	LM		Royston Drenthe	24	EU	Hércules	Loan return	Summer	2012	N/A	RealMadrid.com
	CB		David Mateos	24	EU	AEK Athens	Loan return	Summer	2013	N/A	RealMadrid.com
15	LWB		Fábio Coentrão	23	EU	Benfica	Transfer	Summer	2017	€30M	RealMadrid.com

Total expenditure: €55 million

N	Pos.	Nat.	Name	Age	EU	Moving to	Type	Transfer window	Transfer fee	Source
25	GK		Jerzy Dudek	38	EU		Retirement	Summer	Free	RealMadrid.com
6	CF		Emmanuel Adebayor	27	EU	Manchester City	Loan return	Summer	N/A	MCFC.co.uk
	CB		David Mateos	24	EU	Zaragoza	Loan	Summer	N/A	RealZaragoza.com
19	CB		Ezequiel Garay	24	Non-EU	Benfica	Transfer	Summer	€5.5M	SLBenfica.pt, RealMadrid.com
16	AM		Sergio Canales	20	EU	Valencia	Loan	Summer	€1M	RealMadrid.com
21	RW		Pedro León	24	EU	Getafe	Loan	Summer	N/A	GetafeCF.com, RealMadrid.com
5	CM		Fernando Gago	25	EU	Roma	Loan	Summer	€0.5M	ASRoma.it, RealMadrid.com
	LM		Royston Drenthe	24	EU	Everton	Loan	Summer	N/A	EvertonFC.com, RealMadrid.com

Total income: €9 million[285]

Real Madrid v Barcelona

14 August 2011 First leg	Real Madrid	2–2	Barcelona	Madrid
22:00 CEST (UTC+02)	Özil  13' Khedira  32' Alonso  54',  78' Coentrão  90+1'	Report	Villa  36' Messi  45+1' Sánchez  55' Alves  90+3'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 80,000[297] Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes (Cantabria)[298] Man of the Match: Alonso, Coentrão

Barcelona v Real Madrid

17 August 2011 Second leg	Barcelona	3–2 (5–4 agg.)	Real Madrid	Barcelona
23:00 CEST (UTC+02)	Iniesta  15' Xavi  42' Messi  45', 88' Valdés  90+3' Villa  90+5'[299]	Report	Ronaldo  20',  54' Khedira  28' Marcelo  54'  90+4'   Pepe  62'   Ramos  76'   Benzema  82'   Coentrão  85'   Özil  90+5'[299]	Stadium: Camp Nou Attendance: 92,000[300] Referee: David Fernández Borbalán (Andalusia)[301]
Note: David Villa and Mesut Özil were both sent off for fighting after being substituted.[299]

Last updated: 17 August 2011
Source: RealMadrid.com

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

Zaragoza v Real Madrid

28 August 2011 2	Zaragoza	0–6	Real Madrid	Zaragoza
20:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Meira  21' Abraham  26'	Report	Ronaldo  24', 71', 87' Marcelo  28' Alonso  64' Carvalho  69' Kaká  82'	Stadium: La Romareda Attendance: 28,000[304] Referee: César Muñiz Fernández (Asturias)[305] Man of the Match: Ronaldo, Özil

Real Madrid v Getafe

10 September 2011 3	Real Madrid	4–2	Getafe	Madrid
20:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Benzema  14', 69' Ronaldo  21',  60' (pen.) Carvalho  68' Alonso  82' Higuaín  88'	Report	Valera  21' Miku  39', 73' Casquero  45' Torres  84'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 76,000[306] Referee: Carlos Clos Gómez (Aragon)[307] Man of the Match: Benzema, Ronaldo
Note: Getafe head coach Luis García was dismissed in the 85th minute.[306][308]

Levante v Real Madrid

18 September 2011 4	Levante	1–0	Real Madrid	Valencia
20:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Valdo  38' Iborra  39' Ballesteros  40' Venta  43' Koné  68' Torres  78' Rubén  81' Pallardó  87'	Report	Khedira  25'  40' Di María  39' Pepe  78' Coentrão  90+4'	Stadium: Estadi Ciutat de València Attendance: 17,000 Referee: Javier Turienzo Álvarez (Castile and León)[309]

Racing Santander v Real Madrid

21 September 2011 5	Racing Santander	0–0	Real Madrid	Santander
20:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Stuani  38' Ariel  69' Tziolis  70' Christian  81' Munitis  86' Adrián  90+5'	Report	Özil  22' Diarra  72' Carvalho  90+3'	Stadium: Campos de Sport de El Sardinero Attendance: 21,000[310] Referee: David Fernández Borbalán (Andalusia)[311]

Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano

24 September 2011 6	Real Madrid	6–2	Rayo Vallecano	Madrid
20:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Di María  17'  56' Ronaldo  39', 51' (pen.), 84' (pen.) Higuaín  45+1' Alonso  58' Varane  67' Benzema  73'	Report	Michu  1', 55' Arribas  45' Movilla  50' Bangoura  65' Giménez  83'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 72,000[312] Referee: José Luis Paradas Romero (Andalusia)[313] Man of the Match: Ronaldo, Özil

Espanyol v Real Madrid

2 October 2011 7	Espanyol	0–4	Real Madrid	Cornellà de Llobregat
22:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Bifouma  24' López  29' Romaric  31' Weiss  80'	Report	Higuaín  17', 66', 89' Diarra  50' Callejón  82'	Stadium: Estadi Cornellà-El Prat Attendance: 34,423 Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes (Cantabria)[314] Man of the Match: Higuaín, Ronaldo[315]

Real Madrid v Real Betis

15 October 2011 8	Real Madrid	4–1	Real Betis	Madrid
18:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Pepe  24' Higuaín  46', 70', 73' Kaká  59'	Report	Sevilla  60' Beñat  65' Molina  69' Momo  86'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 83,000[316] Referee: Carlos Delgado Ferreiro (Basque Country)[317] Man of the Match: Higuaín, Kaká

Málaga v Real Madrid

22 October 2011 9	Málaga	0–4	Real Madrid	Málaga
20:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Eliseu  25'	Report	Higuaín  11' Ronaldo  23', 28', 38'	Stadium: Estadio La Rosaleda Attendance: 28,500[318] Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Valencian Community)[319] Man of the Match: Ronaldo, Di María

Real Madrid v Villarreal

26 October 2011 10	Real Madrid	3–0	Villarreal	Madrid
22:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Benzema  5' Kaká  11',  53' Alonso  21' Di María  30'	Report	Gonzalo  16' Catalá  46' Ruben  54'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 55,000[320] Referee: Miguel Ángel Pérez Lasa (Basque Country)[321] Man of the Match: Benzema, Ramos

Real Sociedad v Real Madrid

29 October 2011 11	Real Sociedad	0–1	Real Madrid	San Sebastián
22:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)	Cadamuro  47' Griezmann  69' C. Martínez  84' Bergara  86' I. Martínez  90+1'	Report	Higuaín  9' Arbeloa  11' Ramos  82'	Stadium: Estadio Anoeta Attendance: 27,193[322] Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Navarre)[323] Man of the Match: Higuaín, Pepe

Real Madrid v Osasuna

6 November 2011 12	Real Madrid	7–1	Osasuna	Madrid
12:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Ronaldo  23', 54' (pen.), 58' Pepe  34' Higuaín  40' Benzema  63', 81'	Report	Puñal  22' Ibrahima  31' Satrústegui  32'  54'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 83,000[324] Referee: Alfonso Javier Álvarez Izquierdo (Catalonia)[325] Man of the Match: Ronaldo, Di María

Valencia v Real Madrid

19 November 2011 13	Valencia	2–3	Real Madrid	Valencia
22:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	T. Costa  22' Albelda  59' Soldado  75', 83' Alves  90+6'	Report	Benzema  20' Arbeloa  33' Ronaldo  53',  79' Marcelo  55' Özil  56' Ramos  59',  72' Alonso  65' Granero  90+4'	Stadium: Estadio Mestalla Attendance: 45,000[162] Referee: José Antonio Teixeira Vitienes (Cantabria)[326] Man of the Match: Ramos, Benzema

Real Madrid v Atlético Madrid

26 November 2011 14	Real Madrid	4–1	Atlético Madrid	Madrid
20:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Ronaldo  24' (pen.), 82' (pen.) Alonso  40' Di María  49' Higuaín  65'	Report	Adrián  15' Diego  18' Courtois  22' Turan  27' Perea  33' Gabi  36' Filipe Luís  67' Godín  81'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 80,315 Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Valencian Community)[327] Man of the Match: Di María, Benzema

Sporting Gijón v Real Madrid

3 December 2011 15	Sporting Gijón	0–3	Real Madrid	Gijón
18:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Eguren  22'  80' Barral  24' Trejo  27' Bilić  27'[328] Cases  45+2'	Report	Callejón  22'[328] Di María  34',  56' Coentrão  48' Ronaldo  64' Marcelo  90+2'	Stadium: El Molinón Attendance: 27,000[328] Referee: Eduardo Iturralde González (Basque Country)[329] Man of the Match: Marcelo, Di María
Note: Real Madrid assistant coach Rui Faria was dismissed in the 18th minute. Callejón and Bilić were booked while substitutes.[328]

Real Madrid v Barcelona

10 December 2011 16	Real Madrid	1–3	Barcelona	Madrid
22:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Benzema  1' Alonso  26' Diarra  61' Pepe  62' Ramos  70'	Report	Sánchez  27',  30' Messi  36' Piqué  48' Xavi  53' Fàbregas  66'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 83,500[330] Referee: David Fernández Borbalán (Andalusia)[331] Man of the Match: Benzema

Sevilla v Real Madrid

17 December 2011 17	Sevilla	2–6	Real Madrid	Seville
22:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Rakitić  21' Medel  52' Kanouté  64' Navas  69' Manu  74' Negredo  90+2'	Report	Ronaldo  10', 41', 85' (pen.) Pepe  30'  44' Ramos  33' Callejón  37' Arbeloa  44' Diarra  53' Di María  66' Altıntop  89'	Stadium: Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Attendance: 40,000[332] Referee: Carlos Clos Gómez (Aragon)[333] Man of the Match: Ronaldo, Di María, Casillas

Real Madrid v Granada

7 January 2012 18	Real Madrid	5–1	Granada	Madrid
20:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Benzema  19', 50' Ramos  34' Higuaín  47',  60' Ronaldo  89'	Report	M. Rico  22' Roberto  24'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 78,000[334] Referee: César Muñiz Fernández (Asturias)[335] Man of the Match: Benzema, Özil

Mallorca v Real Madrid

14 January 2012 19	Mallorca	1–2	Real Madrid	Palma
20:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Hemed  39' Tissone  56' Cendrós  57' Castro  83' Ogunjimi  88'	Report	Higuaín  72' Callejón  84' Coentrão  86'	Stadium: Iberostar Estadio Attendance: 19,557[336] Referee: Pedro Jesús Pérez Montero (Andalusia)[337] Man of the Match: Callejón, Ramos

Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao

22 January 2012 1	Real Madrid	4–1	Athletic Bilbao	Madrid
21:30 CET (UTC+01:00)	Marcelo  25' Ronaldo  28',  47' (pen.), 67' (pen.) Ramos  57' Arbeloa  74' Callejón  85'	Report	Llorente  13' De Marcos  26'  66' Iturraspe  46'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 75,000[338] Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Valencian Community)[339] Man of the Match: Özil, Marcelo
Note: Originally scheduled for 21 August but was postponed due to AFE strike after failing to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the LFP.[303]

Real Madrid v Zaragoza

28 January 2012 21	Real Madrid	3–1	Zaragoza	Madrid
20:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Kaká  32' Ronaldo  49',  63' Özil  56'	Report	Lafita  11' Paredes  26'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 67,000[340] Referee: Eduardo Iturralde González (Basque Country)[341] Man of the Match: Özil, Granero

Getafe v Real Madrid

4 February 2012 22	Getafe	0–1	Real Madrid	Getafe
20:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Rodríguez  28' Díaz  33' Casquero  35' Miku  36' Arizmendi  82' Masilela  87'	Report	Ramos  18'	Stadium: Coliseum Alfonso Pérez Attendance: 13,000[342] Referee: Miguel Ángel Ayza Gámez (Valencian Community)[343] Man of the Match: Ramos, Özil

Real Madrid v Levante

12 February 2012 23	Real Madrid	4–2	Levante	Madrid
21:30 CET (UTC+01:00)	Ramos  36' Ronaldo  45' (pen.), 50', 57' Pepe  49' Benzema  66' Arbeloa  84'	Report	Cabral  5',  86' Serrano  33' Iborra  37'  43' Koné  63'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 67,000[344] Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Navarre)[345] Man of the Match: Ronaldo, Benzema

Real Madrid v Racing Santander

18 February 2012 24	Real Madrid	4–0	Racing Santander	Madrid
20:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Ronaldo  6' Benzema  45+1', 89' Ramos  58' Kaká  69' Di María  73' Carvalho  87'	Report	Cisma  26'  39' Álvaro  45+1'	Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 76,000[346] Referee: José Luis González González (Castile and León)[347] Man of the Match: Di María, Benzema

Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid

26 February 2012 25	Rayo Vallecano	0–1	Real Madrid	Madrid
16:00 CET (UTC+01:00)	Costa  20' Fuego  84' Michu  89' Arribas  90+2'	Report	Ramos  3' Casillas  41' Marcelo  45' Ronaldo  54' Alonso  65' Coentrão  90' Pepe  90+3'	Stadium: Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas Attendance: 12,400[348] Referee: David Fernández Borbalán (Andalusia)[349] Man of the Match: Ronaldo, Casillas
Note: Assistant coach Rui Faria was dismissed in the 66th minute.[348]